BBC Releases Nine of Those Long Lost ‘Doctor Who’ Episodes on iTunes!

This week we've been hearing all sorts of rumblings about the BBC discovering a stash of their Classic Doctor Who catalogue, missing since the episodes originally aired almost fifty years ago. First there were rumors, then the discovery was confirmed, and now, nine episodes have been released, completely remastered, for purchase on iTunes.

The nine rediscovered episodes all come from the Second Doctor's, Patrick Troughton, era and complete the two serials: The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear. Joining Troughton as his companions are Frazer Hines as Jaime and Deborah Watling as Victoria. If you're familiar with the Second Doctor era these are the same companions traveling with him in the classic, Tomb of the Cybermen, another serial once thought lost yet rediscovered years ago.

If you're wondering how so many Doctor Who episodes were ever lost - there's still a total of 97 episodes missing, all from the first six years of the program - it's because the tapes were often either erased or recorded over. This was long before VHS, Betamax, DVD, or Blu-ray, so no one ever considered the commercial value of a TV program after it aired. Those fools, I know. Over the years some of these lost episodes have been found in foreign BBC offices as it was common for the BBC to send copies of their programs abroad where, thankfully, someone never got the message to dispose of them once they were finished.

This most recent treasure trove was discovered in a television station in Jos, Nigeria by Phillip Morris of Television International Enterprises Archive. Finding lost television programs is kind of his thing, and this is one hell of a find. Whovians couldn't ask for a better way to celebrate The Doctor's 50th anniversary than with episodes that, for many, have never been seen before.

Check out these new, snazzy trailers the Beeb released today, but don't forget to grab a copy of television history from iTunes today!

Matt Smith’s Final Doctor Who Delivers a Lump of Coal

Recently I returned to watching Doctor Who, after years (decades more likely) away. I did so because of the incredible excitement and passion of the current fandom - after all, millions of screaming fans can't be wrong, right? So I watched most of the previous season, and caught up on some of the run of the ninth and 10th Doctors.

That led me to be full of anticipation for the most recent episode, in which the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, bids his farewell and regenerates into the 12th Doctor, to be played by Scotsman Peter Capaldi. The episode was aired on Christmas Day and was a Christmas-themed special, so imagine my surprise when instead of a wonderful gift of an episode I found a lump of coal in my stocking. To explain why I need to reveal some spoilers, so if you recorded the episode "Time of the Doctor" and haven't watched it yet - SPOILER ALERT!

Steven Moffat, the show runner for Doctor Who and the writer of "Time of the Doctor" is the Grinch in this scenario, but it wasn't his heart that was two sizes too small. it seems to have been the part of his brain involved in writing intelligent creative fiction. And the worst part was, he did so by violating the very situations he himself had set up, both within this episode and in previous stories. The story ultimately takes place on Trenzalore, the planet that we have known for a long time as the ultimate grave site of the Doctor. And yet, despite the ominous future of this completely alien world, Moffat puts a town of perfectly human-like people on it - a town called Christmas. That name seems to have no bearing whatsoever on the story, except that it is a Christmas special, so some nod seems to have been required.

Moffat also completely screws up what may be one of his most disturbing enemy creations, the Weeping Angels. As soon as the Doctor and his companion Clara Oswald arrive on Trenzalore, they find themselves surrounded by snow-covered Weeping Angels. Now, the trick is, if you look at a Weeping Angel you have to keep looking, because they can't move (being statues of angels and all). But once you look away, they zoom in for a certain and violent death. The Doctor instructs Clara not to look away, but they both keep turning their heads, looking from one to another. As original defined, the Weeping Angels would have rushed in and ripped them to shreds. No explanation is given as to how they managed to escape simply by running away.

Even one of the very conditions he wrote into the episode itself is violated by Moffat. Christmas is surrounded by some form of Truth Field, which forces one to say the exact truth when confronted with a direct question. The Gallifreyan Time Lords, trapped in a pocket dimension for their own safety by all the Doctors in the recent 50th anniversary episode, have torn a small rip in the universe somewhere in Christmas and through it are repeatedly broadcasting to the entire universe the question, "Doctor who?", trying to get the 11th Doctor to say his secret name which is apparently the key to getting them back in this universe. Yet the 11th Doctor resists saying it out loud, despite the fact that mere minutes prior his was spilling all sorts of uncomfortable truths without control.

The show even teases the idea that maybe the 11th Doctor is actual the source of the Father Christmas legends, by having him spend 300 years in the town to keep all of the evil alien forces in their vast spaceship armadas in orbit from destroying the town. He slowly ages, starts wearing fur-lined jackets (already a purple that could shade easily into burgundy) and becomes the local repairman for the children's toys. Does Moffat do anything with this and the fact that they are in a town called Christmas? No. That is all just lip service to appeal to people who tuned in on Christmas Day, and nothing more.

To be fair, Moffat completely jumped the shark, story-wise, in the 50th Anniversary episode, by negating the very thing that made the Doctor, when the show returned to the BBC with the ninth Doctor, a tragic and flawed hero. As originally defined, the ninth Doctor (yes, I know, technically the War Doctor, but still that makes him the ninth, and Christopher Eccleston's version the 10th) wiped out his entire planet and all the Time Lords to save the universe from the Daleks, also wiped out. Moffat decided to change all of that in the 50th Anniversary episode, and so the 10th and 11th Doctors got together, ultimately with all 13 to save Gallifrey by hiding it in a pocket dimension. This was supposed to be a trick to convince any remaining Daleks not also destroyed in the attack that they had vaporized Gallifrey. And yet in "Time for the Doctor," the very next episode Moffat wrote, he negates that by having the Time Lords shout at the entire frigging universe from a tear in reality. So much for hiding.

When Doctor Who gets some guest writers, like the brilliant Neil Gaiman, who has written a handful of episodes during Moffat's run, it is still very enjoyable. But Moffat has turned it into a confusing pale shadow of the show that had millions of people weeping for Rose Tyler and David Tennant's 10th Doctor. The episode "Time for the Doctor" was just the latest, and most egregious example of Moffat's awful story telling.

David Tennant on the “Slightly Different” Side of His Doctor We’ll See in the 50th Anniversary

Thinking back over this year, I believe the news David Tennant and Billie Piper would return for Doctor Who's 50th anniversary has to be up there with some of the year's biggest surprises. Not because I thought it would never happen-okay yeah, that's part of it, but also because it came after months and months of denial anyone would be returning. Steven Moffat and co. can still surprise us, and that'll never get old.

Tennant recently spoke with SFX about his return for the special, and in between talk of being a sci-fi icon and avoiding any spoilers, like a pro, Tennant discussed returning to the role that made him a household name (on both sides of the pond),

Was it easy enough for you to slip back into the role?

Kind of. When there is more than one of you, as is the case this time, it becomes a slightly different character. The Doctor tends to lead every scene he is in and when you are sharing that out it becomes slightly different. You have a new relationship with that aspect of the character and that gives you fresh challenges to work on. But it was really good fun actually - and that was a big part of what I enjoyed about this.

Were you surprised to be asked back?

No, I can't say I was surprised. There is a precedent to this, isn't there? It has happened a few times down the years so it was never out of the realms of possibility that it would happen for the 50th anniversary. I was more surprised about how long it took to come through. It actually took quite a long time. There had been a sketchy little conversation about it - and there was a long gap before I got the call. For a long time I was starting to think it was never going to happen - so there was an element of surprise there. But the general concept was something I always expected.

See, David was sort of surprised by it, too. It just took them so damn long to get around to announcing it!

I cannot wait to see him and Matt Smith interacting. Multi-Doctor stories have the potential for so much fun, I'm sure these two have a blast playing up the Doctor and Doctor relationship. Were you excited to hear Tennant was returning? Still holding out hope for some Classic Doctor appearances?

Lastly, David's response to this questions is perfect,

Finally, should the next incarnation of the Doctor be female?

You are not going to get a quote from me on that. It will come back and bite me on the arse whatever I say! [laughs].

Well done, sir! This has become such an unfortunately touchy subject, no comment is the best comment. For more, make sure you go read Tennant's full interview with SFX.

Source: Digital Spy

First Peek at the ‘Doctor Who’, Children in Need, Pre-Christmas Special Minisode

Sadly, it’s not a clip, but what kind of clip could we expect for a short minisode that is probably only five minutes in length? No, it’s a promo image you can see above, I suggest you click it to embiggen, but it was released with this short little blurb,

Doctor Who, featuring Matt Smith, will bring viewers an extra special 'prequel' to its Christmas special, with a bespoke storyline made for Children in Need, and an exclusive preview trailer of the Christmas special including the first glimpse of the Doctor with his new companion.

The Doctor Who/Children in Need shorts are something I always look forward to. They’re a little bit of Who to tide you over until the Christmas special, which itself is usually tiding you over until the series returns with a full season. Basically, I can’t get enough Who. And this upcoming minisode, airing Friday, will lead into what will be our first glimpse of The Doctor and his new companion, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman). Y’know, when she’s not a Dalek.

But going back to that promo image, is that The Doctor’s new wardrobe? It’s seem to match the outfits we’ve seen him filming in, but I wasn’t sure it was a permanent change. Looks a little like the 8th Doctor, Paul McGann’s getup doesn’t it?

For those of us here, on the American side of the pond, you may be wondering when the Christmas special will air? Never fear, BBC America announced today it will air 9pm ET on Christmas Day. They also included this little blurb which tells us next to nothing, but here it is,

Following the epic mid-season finale, the Doctor gets in the holiday spirit in the all-new Christmas special written by lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Sherlock). Accompanied by his newest companion, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, the Doctor's latest adventure through space and time sees him once again crossing paths with the homo-reptilian Silurian Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh) and her cohort Jenny (Catrin Stewart).

See you all here Friday for the release of the Children in Need minisode!

Sources: Bleeding Cool, Doctor Who TV

Filming Begins on ‘Doctor Who’ 50th Anniversary Docudrama, ‘An Adventure in Space and Time’

We only learned of the cast for Mark Gatiss‘ docudrama about the early days of Doctor Who last week, and on Sunday they began filming. In the photos below snapped by Andrew Mark Sewell, you can just make out David Bradley as the First Doctor, William Hartnell, and Jessica Raine as Doctor Who producer, Verity Lambert.

Above photo by by Jake Humphrey. The top picture is from Ann Marie Stephenson and shows the TARDIS on location at Wimbledon Common. The photos from Joseph Burne (left) and Darcylotr (right) below give you an even better look at the original TARDIS’ rougher yet still so recognizable look,

This docudrama is expected to air around the time of Who’s 50th Anniversary, November 23rd.

Source: Doctor Who TV

Nerd Art Dump: Stephanie Brown Times Two, Nerdist vs. Doctor Who, Retro Cylons & MOAR!

Each and every week we scour the Internet for nothing but the best in nerd based art. We leave no digital stone unturned, we poke and prod every net based nook and cranny. Why? Because we love you, and we love to bring you weekly Nerd Art Dumps.

Na na na na na na na na, Batgirls! – Well, one Batgirl and a Robin anyways, but a single Stephanie Brown. We here at Nerd Bastards HQ love the work of Lynne Yoshii, having featured her here several times before, but featuring the former Spoiler turned third Batgirl with her past self is pretty damn cool. When your originally a three-issue deal and you become one of the biggest female characters in comics you know your doing something right. [Comics Alliance]

Hit the jump for Spider-Man, Ginny Weasley and MOAR!

Venom is a dick. Just look at the drawing by totmoartsstudio2 and you’ll see what we mean. All Spider-Man wants is some time alone to himself but Venom just doesn’t know when to let go. Guess “symbiote” synonymous with jerk. [Deviant Art]

Whoever said “magic isn’t sexy” obviously never saw what deviant artist Genzoman did with Harry Potter‘s Ginny Weasley. You can’t say we’re being dirty though, as we are basing this claim -and crossing our finger - on the fact that this Weasley is 18 at the time. Hell, Bonnie Wright, the actress who played Ginny was born in 1991 and that makes her 21 now, so any future comments we make are totally fair. [Deviant Art]

That awkward moment when you have to tell the rest of the team. [Comic Cool]

The legendary Nerdist‘s All-star Celebrity Bowling game – Team Nerdist vs. Team Doctor Who. Yes, Chris Hardwick and his band of Nerds against Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill and Steven Moffat as rendered by Namberjams. Extra points for having Wil Wheaton‘s “Wesley Crushers” on the back of his uniform. That’s dedication. [NAMBERJAMS]

Bulbasuar might look like he’s a bit too much weed killer, but this is actually the first in a long line of redesigns by Vaughn Pinpin. Pinpin plans on styling every first generation Pokemon in the style of a Tim Burton character. ‘Cause… you known, we all wondered what that would look like. [Kotaku]

One of the most underrated villains in the DC universe, Mr. Freeze is one of the few who actually didn’t become evil for the sake of evil, he did it to save his frozen wife. Still doesn’t mean he can’t have one bad ass stare in the hands of Vablo, who crafted this cold hearted stare for the man of ice. [Deviant Art]

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars was mixed with the X-men thanks to the twisted, but brilliant mind of Arzeno. Gambit as Han, Rogue as Leia, Beast is freaking Chewbacca for crying out loud! [The Mary Sue]

Oh no! It’s a monster, holding another monster, but Scott Blair makes both Cylon and Number 6 look perfect for the monster/damsel in distress part. If we didn’t know she was a heartless killing machine we might feel bad. [Scott Blair]

Some villains are scary, but what the BBC has been able to do with the villains of Doctor Who makes them absolutely terrifying. So when Ultimate Comics’ releases their new IDW series Doctor Who Carnival of Monsters they called upon cpwilsoniii to do this kick ass variant cover. Featuring several of the Doctor’s past and present foes, this cover could one day be a part of your collection, but keep a companion beside you just in case. [GeekTyrant]

Robert Shane put together this kick ass “what if” scenario of Darth Vader encountering an Alien queen. I’m putting my money on the shiny black one. [LAZORZ]

‘Sherlock’ Series 3 Pushed Back as far as 2014!?

Can’t say I didn’t see this coming, but it doesn’t make the news any easier to endure. Due to the exploding careers of its stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, Sherlock won’t be returning any earlier than late 2013, or likely early 2014 for those in the U.S. awaiting PBS’ broadcast.

BBC‘s hit series based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant detective was schedule to begin shooting its third series this coming January, with hopes for a Fall 2013 premiere, but filming has been pushed back to March. It seems Cumberbatch – who can been seen in next year’s Star Trek Into Darkness and heard in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – is expected to begin shooting director Bill Condon's untitled WikiLeaks project soon, and Freeman is expected to be needed for more filming to finish up Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit now that it’s a trilogy, cause y’know, he’s the hobbit.

Add to this how busy series creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss already are, what with that little anniversary happening next year for that silly science fiction, and you can see why Sherlock is being put on the back burner. And after the cliffhanger at the end of Series 2 those few more months of waiting will be a struggle. How will fans cope? Well, there’s always Tumblr. Especially the Johnlock tag.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

‘Merlin’ Recap – The Law & Order Edition

Just when everything seems like it’s going well in Camelot – well, except for that pesky Morgana and her issues – a trio of three witches decide to pass judgment on the King and his rule, and the sentence is… Well, why ruin the surprise?

This week’s episode kicks off like MacBeth, three witches stirring up some trouble. They are the Disir, high priestesses of the Old Religion who speak for the Triple Goddess. They dole out justice by her hand and now the less than blind eyes of justice are tuned towards Arthur. But first, combat practice! And young Sir Mordred is coming along nicely with his training. Even Arthur thinks so. Merlin is still dubious about Mordred, and although Gaius tries to convince him that all this worrying is much ado about nothing (another Shakespeare reference – did you catch it!), Merlin remains steadfast in his doubt even though he, himself, has to admit that Mordred doesn’t seem like a bad guy.

Wait, here comes Sir Leon with news. The sorcerer and raconteur Osgar escaped some Camelot knights at a nearby outpost, and in the process Sir Ranulf was killed. The late knight was an old buddy of Arthur’s, so naturally some measure of retaliation is called for. So the Knights of the Round Table saddle up. Mordred comes along on his first official mission, one that includes some gentle hazing from the other knights. The company catches up to Osgar eventually, and though he’s mortally wounded, he manages to live long enough to give Arthur the verdict of the Disir, inscribed on a gold coin.

Merlin, of course, is concerned about the condemnation, but Arthur is merely vexed. Sure, he could understand the Disir condemning his father, but hasn’t he, Arthur, tried to be a just and moral king. Merlin points out that only those worthy can be judged, since it’s pointless to judge a man who won’t listen or examine his own beliefs to consider he might be wrong. Gwen points out that maybe Osgar was just a whack job, but Arthur saw the sincerity and knowing that Osgar was a sorcerer, and a cunning one at that, he could have easily taken out both the king and his knights. But he didn’t. Could the message of judgment have more weight than Arthur would like to admit?

Naturally it does and the Camelot knights ride out to the sacred place where the Disir dwell. When they get there, the knights are rather – um- single-minded. They enter the cave, in force, with weapons drawn, despite Merlin’s warnings that this is a sacred place that they should show some reverence to. Oh that Merlin, such a nimby. But yeah, the Disir aren’t impressed either. Arthur mouths off and disrespect is paid, which results in the Disir throwing some spears with their magic, one of which impales Mordred. The knights retreat, and return to Camelot where Gaius pronounces that it’s only a matter of time before Mordred dies.

Unless… No Merlin refuses to help. Following the advise of the Great Dragon, Merlin decides the risk to the future is too great with Mordred alive and declines to use his magic to heal Mordred. Arthur, however, is not as intractable. He takes Merlin and returns to the Disir to ask for forgiveness and to spare Mordred’s life. The Disir tell Arthur again that he has to convert to the Old Religion or else, and that he has until sun-up to decide. Arthur actually carefully considers it, after all: magic doesn’t kill people, people kill people. Not so fast, says Merlin swallowing hard every dream he has to live open and free as a wizard, magic causes a lot of bad stuff, and isn’t it possible that there’s a toxic effect to magic run unchecked? Wasn’t that the whole root of the purge, and Uther’s madness, and other anti-magic motions across the Five Kingdoms? Arthur sees the wisdom and his mind’s made up. He tells the Disir thanks but no thanks to the Old Religion and heads home.

The Disir’s punishment: Mordred lives. Arthur and Merlin return to Camelot to find Mordred alive and well. Arthur is pleased, but to Merlin, it just solidifies one thing: Mordred is the fateful end to Arthur he’s been looking for. To be continued…

EPISODE NOTES

-Can anyone say “filler episode?” This was easily the weakest entry of the season so far, and basically just reinforced the outlining story arc of the season: Arthur brings Mordred into the fold, Mordred is destined to betray Arthur, et cetera, and so forth. I suppose though it must be done. Scenes of Mordred and Arthur paling around, and other knights giving Mordred a gentle good ribbing help to effectively set-up the drama coming down the pipe.

-Bravo to Colin Morgan, the stand out performer from last night’s episode! No longer the country lad caught up in the palace theatrics, Merlin remained steadfast in his doubt of Mordred, and was even more cynical than Gaius about whether or not the Druid boy could turn out all right in the end. Merlin, once defiant when confronted with Mordred’s destiny, is now all too willing to proceed as the Great Dragon advises: let the kid die. On the flip side, Merlin had to swallow any hope for a bright day of magical openness in order to convince Arthur that embracing the Old Religion is wrong in order to save Mordred. Powerful stuff and ripe with inner-turmoil, which was rather underplayed nicely by Morgan who couldn’t really act out all that frustration and doubt, but had to look like he was burying it deep down. Hope this episode makes the Emmy clip reel.

-Was the MacBeth comparison with The Disir apt, or was it just me? It would have been funny if the connection was made a little more explicit, like in the old Disney Gargoyle cartoons, which included characters from both MacBeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream… You know if Hollywood wants to remake something, a live-action Gargoyles is something I could really get behind. Just saying. And what’s the deal with those Blair Witch stick figure ornaments outside The Disir’s cave? Is that a witch thing now?

-Was there a political implication in Merlin’s advice about the Disir’s judgment? Judgment will only be given to those who will listen. I read it as kind of statement about the absolutism of extremism in all forms. So many people never test their beliefs and live in their own little echo chamber that reinforces the things they already know, so how does one learn and grow without accept the judgment of others that you might be wrong? Some wise words to think about indeed. This Merlin has come along way.

-Osgar’s line: “For even as Camelot flowers, the seeds of her destruction are being sown,” some damn fine alliteration, or subliminal Hellboy reference? Dealer’s choice.

Next week: Morgana’s back with a new plot involving Queen Gwen. An evil plot? I guess you’ll just have to tune in and see.

Guess What Whovians are Getting for Christmas? A New TARDIS Interior!

The Christmas special is marking a change for Doctor Who. It’s the first step towards the 50th Anniversary, The Doctor (Matt Smith) is being joined by new companion, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), and the TARDIS is getting a makeover.

The TARDIS interior has gone through several changes over the show’s 49 year history. Originally the inside what stark and white, but always with the familiar console and port hole design on the walls. In the 1996 movie the interior took one of its most drastic changes, becoming a massive, vaulted room of Edwardian iron work. When the series returned the interior changed again, with a raised platform for the console, coral pillars, and green lights illuminating the time rotor. It’s been tweaked for each Doctor since, most recently with the 11th Doctor’s TARDIS looking both steampunk and Seussian.

Now it’s changing again and the BBC has released this teaser image,

(Click to embiggen)

Here’s a blurb released along with it,

The BBC's Doctor Who has revealed a sneak peak at a brand new TARDIS that will debut in this year's Christmas special, The Snowmen. The second TARDIS for Matt Smith it will be the first TARDIS for new companion Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), who makes her entrance on Christmas Day at 5:15pm on BBC ONE. The new set was designed by Michael Pickwoad, the show's production designer, and will be home to the Doctor and Clara as they travel through space and time when the adventure continues in spring 2013 with eight epic episodes.

And a description of another image appearing Doctor Who Magazine from Doctor Who TV,

It's black, with a blue hue from the time rotor lighting the room. There's a disc looking thing on the wall, with a red light in the middle and purple lights surrounding it. The time rotor looks very similar to the one in the Lodger TARDIS. It looks much smaller than the current version, perhaps even smaller than Nine and Ten's console room.

So the room must be black with the console itself a lighter color, since it looks almost white in the picture. I love the detail of the Gallifreyan symbols. Hmm, and it’s a smaller console room, too. That’s interesting. I wonder if this has anything to do with us supposedly seeing more of TARDIS this season. It’s rumored one of these, “eight epic episodes,” will be called, “Journey to the Center of the TARDIS.”

It’s only a sneak peek, but what do you think of the new design? Are you surprised it’s changing already?

The Doctor Who Christmas special, “The Snowmen” airs Christmas Day on BBC One, BBC American, and Space.

‘Doctor Who’: Is Christopher Eccelston Hinting at a 50th Anniversary Return?

There are a lot of Whovians who like to shit on the 9th Doctor, Christopher Eccelston. You’ll often hear complaints about his short tenure as The Doctor, that his take on The Doctor was too angry, and when he left he burned bridges with “senior people” of Doctor Who‘s production. Personally, I like to remind people that without Eccelston we wouldn’t be enjoying the successful series of Who we are today, but it’s often hard to change a fan’s mind once it’s been made. So maybe this will.

In a recent interview with Red Carpet News, Eccelston made a few comments that have us questioning his earlier denials he’d have nothing do with Doctor Who in the future. In particular this response when asked about wanting to be involved, "Would I like to be involved? If I told you that, I'd have to shoot you.” Hmm. Sure, he was asked if he’d like to be involved as opposed to are you involved but it’s a different response from his earlier, “No. Never bathe in the same river twice,” comment.

Check out the whole interview below,

src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DdU_YxzRjbU" frameborder="0" width="600" height="350">

What are guys thinking? Is he likely to return for the 50th? It seems almost a given David Tennant is returning as he’s almost confirmed it himself, it’d be nice to see Eccelston return, too. Something like a reunion of the reboot Doctors would be nice, don’t you think?

Source: Doctor Who TV

REVIEW/RECAP: ‘Doctor Who’ Episode 7.3 – “A Town Called Mercy”

In Westerns there are two kinds of heroes: the kind that shoots first and the kind that doesn’t. The implication of the second kind is an “honorable” fighter, someone who cares less about winning and more about winning with right on his side. Which kind is The Doctor? We found out in “A Town Called Mercy.”

The Doctor (Matt Smith), Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) find themselves in a mysterious town in the American West just a few years after the Civil War. They meant to head elsewhere, but something brought them here. The townspeople are suspicious, there’s a big KEEP OUT sign by the road, and a barrier of rocks and hunks of wood surrounds the whole place. The group soon finds out why. A gigantic cyborg gunslinger (Andrew Brooke) who’s already taken out several people in the area who seem to be connected is roaming the landscape. And now he’s after one final target, known only as the “alien doctor.”

This is another of those episodes that focuses on the moral role of The Doctor when it comes to issues of right and wrong. In Mercy he must contend with a cybernetic killer who deals only in moral absolutes, a group of townspeople desperate to end the chaos in their home, a local marshal who truly believes in mercy above all else, and Amy, who is convinced traveling alone has hardened her Time Lord. We’ve seen The Doctor be cold before (we saw it at the end of last week’s episode, in fact), but here he seems more savage than usual, more bent on ending something quickly rather than ending it right, until Amy steps in.

This raises a number of interesting issues. It’s clear from the things we’ve seen in the last two episodes that The Doctor is worried about his future with the Ponds, but he hasn’t yet articulated exactly what he’s worried about. It could be, in part, the fact that Amy and Rory seem content to live the quieter half of their life more and more often (as previews for next week’s episode show). But on the other side of the conflict is Amy, who’s happy to spend time with her husband but seems more worried than usual about her Doctor. Will he break without her? Will he go too far? Will he crumble without someone to talk to? The theme of co-dependency has always been a part of the Moffat era, but now it seems to be moving into more dangerously personal territory, even when you consider how dark it got last season. We’re nearing the Ponds’ endgame, and this seems to be the direction it’s going, which sets us up for both a very sad and very emotionally solid farewell.

Aside from that, though, this episode was sadly inferior to the two that came before it. It wasn’t bad, but the sense of wonder that permeated both “Asylum of the Daleks” and “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship” just wasn’t there this time. It wasn’t as much fun, and Doctor Who is at its best when it merges those deep emotional moments with that constant sense of fun. We’re left with an underwhelming episode, but we still get the feeling that we’re heading toward something bigger, and that means that this wasn’t a failure.

Next Week: The Power of Three